Pumping apparatus



March 24, 1964 E, s. STODDARD ETAL 3,125,959

PUMPING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 26, 1962 INVENTORS 1 EdgarS. Sioddczrd FPecZerieK E izizlgjl/n y W c/ Z/fiy.

March 24, 1964 E. s. STODDARD ETAL 3,125,959

PUMPING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 26, 1962 7 1NVENTOR6 EdgarS- Siodclarci fiederz'cfl E 'mergen By WA, W

(ilfiy.

March 24, 1964 E. s. STODDARD ETAL 3,125,959

PUMPING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed D80. 26, 1962 United StatesPatent Ofifice 3,125,959. Patented Mar. 24, 1964 3,125,959 PUMPENGAPPARATUS Edgar S. Stoddard and Frederick E. Morgen, Oak Park,

Ill., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New YorkFiled Dec. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 246,939 14 Claims. (Cl. 103-4) Thisinvention relates to pumping apparatus, and in particular, to apparatushaving a fluid impeller disposed within a casing provided with multipledischarge ports, and valve means disposed between the impeller and saidports to select the port through which discharge is to be made.

Although not limited thereto, our invention is particularly adaptable todishwashing apparatus having a first compartment within which dishes,glassware, table silver and the like are to be washed, and a secondcompartment for the washing of pots, pans and other cooking utensils. Inview of the fact that dishes and pots and pans present substantiallydifferent washing problems, it has never been quite satisfactory to usethe same sequence of Washing and rinsing operations for each, and theusual domestic dishwasher is generally inadequate for pan washing. Adishwasher equipped with pumping apparatus embodying our invention, canbe arranged to direct washing liquid at maximum flow to either thedishwashing or the pan washing compartment, whereby water distributionmeans and other mechanisms advantageous to the respective washing andrinsing requirements may be operated at maximum efficiency. After eachof the washing and rinsing cycles, the pump automatically adjusts itselfto pass the spent washing or rinsing liquid to the drain.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide a pumpingapparatus having improved means for selecting among a plurality of pumpdischarge outlets.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pumping apparatus havinga combination strainer and particulate matter trap at the intake of theapparatus, said trap including automatically operating means for purgingthe same when the pumping apparatus is established in a specificdischarge outlet position.

In a presently preferred embodiment of our invention, a pump of theaxial flow type has an impeller mounted withina casing provided with aplurality of outlets displaced one from the other on an arc concentricwith the impeller axis. In a dishwasher application, one of said.outlets may communicate with the dishwashing compartment, a second maysupply the pan washing compartment, and a third may be connected to thedrain line. For selection of the desired outlet we provide a rotatablevalve member intermediate the impeller and the casing, with solenoidactuated means for effecting rotation of said valve member. First andsecond fixed stops on said casing cooperate with a stop on said valvemember to bring said member into registry with first and second casingoutlet ports respectively; and a movable stop mounted on said casing isadapted for selective registration with said valve member stop toestablish the valve member in registry with a third of the dischargeoutlets. The valve member actuating means is biased so as to restore thevalve member in registry with the discharge outlet connected to thedrain line.

Surrounding the casing and the inlet port thereof, we provide a concavescreen through which a large part of the liquid flows before it entersthe impeller. At the radially innermost portion of the strainer weprovide a plurality of relatively large openings arranged about a circleconcentric with the casing. In covering relation to said openings, Weprovide a control ring having a mechanical connection with saidrotatable valve member. When said member is established in either thedishwashing or the pan washing position, the control ring closes thestrainer openings, whereupon liquid is caused to pass through thescreen; but when the valve member is rotated to position it in registrywith the drainage outlet, the control plate exposes the large screenopenings so that any accumulation of solid matter on the screen willpass through the openings to the impeller inlet and be discharged by thepump to the drain line.

It will be seen, therefore, that a feature of our invention resides inmeans for operating the valve means to select the desired dischargepassage.

Another feature of our invention resides in an improved strainer systemfor filtering out of the liquid, food particles and other particulatematter which might otherwise be redeposited on the dishes or pans, andsubsequently purging the strainer of the accumulated matter as a part ofthe adjustment of the valve means to its drainage position.

Other features and advantages of the invention will best be understoodby the following detailed description of a presently preferredembodiment thereof, read in connection with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of our pumping mechanism in operatingrelationship to a dishwasher structure with the pump itself taken insection on lines 11 of FIG. 2;

' FIG. 1a is a fragmentary plan section to illustrate a preferredlocation of the pumping mechanism in a dishwasher;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pump casing and associated equipment withcertain ancillary structure shown in sec tion on lines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the supplemental stop mechanism, withcertain elements shown in section on lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the pump impeller, in section on lines44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the discharge selection valve, with thecasing in section on lines 5-5 of FIG. 1 and the inlet guide platefragmentarily shown;

FIG. 6 is a plan section taken on lines 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a plan section of the strainer and purge ring, looking in thedirection of the arrows 7-7 of FIG. 1, the purge ring being fragmentary;and FIG. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1a, the lower portion of a dishwasher tub 1 isfragmentarily shown. It will be understood that the tub has a base wall2 sloping toward a sump 3 which is arranged centrally of the rear wall4. Said wall curves upwardly and outwardly to an upper rear wall portion5; in the rear wall are the elongated openings 6 and 7 through whichextend certain motor ventilation ducts, as later described. A wall 8cooperates with side walls 9 and 10 to form an upper washing compartment12 within which dishes, glassware, and table silver are washed. Saidside walls cooperate with the base wall 2 and wall 8 to provide a lowerwashing compartment 14 for pot and pan washing. It will be understoodthat the tub structure is completed by a top wall and a front wall (notshown) and that said front wall has one or more doors ,(not shown) whichafford access to the respective washing compartments. Also, said tub hasfacilities (not shown) for the admission of heated Water into the tub;means (shown schematically in FIG. 7) for establishing an operationalcycle for Washing dishes and pots and pans; racks or other means (notshown) for disposing the soiled ware in said compartments 12 and 14, andsupporting feet or other mounting devices. It will be noted that thewall 8 slopes toward the rear wall portion of the tub and that in cornerareas of the wall 8 openings 15 are provided whereby washing or rinsingliquid drains from the upper compartment 12 into the sump portion 3.Said openings will, of course, be provided with screens or the like (notshown).

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a supporting cage or frame is usedtoresiliently support the motor and pump assembly. Said cage has threeuprights 17 enclosed by a lower ring 18 and an upper ring 29, the latterfunctioning as the actual support structure for the motor and pumpassembly. The foot of each of the uprights 17 is formed into a circleenclosing a rubber grommet 21 confined between an upper washer 22 and alower washer 23, the latter serving as an upper member of a cageconfining the coil spring 24. As best shown in FIG. 1, this mountingassembly is carried by the shoulder bolt 25, in turn carried on the stepportion 26 of the base. Obviously, the shoulder bolt provides a meansfor adjusting the compression of the coil spring 25.

The motor 30 is of the usual induction type; in the illustrated serviceof a dishwasher it would probably have a one-third horsepower rating.The motor casing includes an upper sheet metal casing 31 to which isaffixed the ventilation duct 32, said duct projecting through theelongated opening 6, see FIG. 1a. It will be understood that the motorarmature has the usual integral fan blades (not shown) whereupon motoroperation will draw air through the upper portion of the motor anddischarge it through an annular space 33 at the bottom of the housingportion 31. The lower housing portion 34 is preferably of cast aluminumor other metal to which the upper support ring 2%) may be secured. Asecond ventilation passage 55 extends through opening 7 and is arrangedto discharge air upwardly into the motor, being drawn thereinto by fanblades (not shown) forming a part of the motor armature. The housing hasany suitable number of openings 36 through which air leaves the motorcasing and discharges into the dishwasher. The motor shaft 37 extendsdownwardly through the appropriate bearing struc ture 38 and has affixedthereto a cup-like water slinger 39 which prevents any creepage orpassage of water into the motor housing.

The pump 40 comprises an upper casing portion 41 and a lower casingportion 42. Desirably, the upper casing portion is of metal, such ascast aluminum, but the lower casing portion may be of a phenoliccondensation material such as Bakelite or the like. The respectiveportions are arranged for securement one to the other by means of aconventional bayonet joint or interrupted thread arrangement (notshown). The upper casing part is suspended from the motor by threesuspension rods 43 which secure to the lower motor casing in socketedelements such as at 44, FIG. 1, and enter tapped openings formed in theflats 45 of the upper pump casing, as indicated in FIG. 2.

The pump impeller 46 is conventional and has a conventional inlet shroud47 fixed over the blades to bring liquid more efficiently through theaxial inlet opening 48 of the lower pump casing. The impeller shaft 50receives the motor shaft 37 and is fastened thereto by means such as thebolt 51. It will be understood that the motor shaft may have a flat sidecooperating with a D shaped socket at the end of the impeller shaft toperfect the driving arrangement.

FIG. 2 shows that the upper pump casing has three outlets. Outlet 52 isthe drainage outlet through which spent washing and rinsing liquid isejected to the plumbing waste line (not shown). Outlet 56 has structureproviding a dual outlet arrangement including the branches 57 and 58 toserve water distribution means (not shown) located adjacent each side ofthe pan washing compartment 14. Outlet 59, intermediate the other two,serves the water distribution system (not shown) in the dish washingcompartment 12. Of course, the respective outlets are connected to thefacilities served thereby by flexible conduits (not shown). It will beunderstood that the exact type and arrangement of the water distributionsystems for the respective compartments may be in all respectsconventional and form no part of our present invention.

In order selectively to establish the outlet through which the pumpdischarge fiows, We provide a rotatable valve member and means forselectively establishing the valve member in the proper relationship tothe casing outlet. Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 5, the valve member 6%includes a body part 61 having a tubular hub 62. Intermediate the endsof the hub, the body portion 61 has a fiat platform 63 through whichpasses the single discharge opening 64-. The diameter of opening 64 isthat of the largest of the pump casing outlet openings; in the presentinstance, each of the openings 56 and 59 is one inch in diameter andopening64 would be the same. It will be noted in FIG. 1 that the lowerwall of the valve member presents a concavity having a maximum depth atthe pas sage 64. Viewed from below, as seen in FIG. 5, the valve memberhas a plurality of spinal ribs 66 which direct the impeller discharge tothe valve outlet 64; and it will also be noted that the bottom of thevalve member is closed by a directional plate 67 (fragmentarily shown inFIG. 5) which causes the liquid leaving the impeller (the liquid flowsspirally outward) to enter the valve cavity through the slots 76 of theplate 67.

It will be understood, of course, that the valve member is stationaryduring the operation of the pump but is arranged for rotation to bringits opening 64 into registry with the pump casing outlet to be used at aprescribed stage of the operation of the dishwasher. To reduce friction,the upper portion of the hub 62 is journaled in oil impregnated, porousbronze bearings 71, 72 carried within a hub portion of the upper pumphousing 41; and we also provide a circular friction plate 73 in surfacecontact with the smooth underside 74 of the pump housing 41. Said plate73 fits tightly over the upper portion of the valve member hub 62 and isrendered immobile relative to the pump housing. A convenient way ofsecuring plate '73 is by the upwardly facing tabs 74' in the passage52.1. These tabs enter the pump casing aperture 52. It will be notedthat plate 73 also has apertures 56.1 and 59.1, and that the diameterand disposition of the three apertures in plate 73 are identical withthose of the pump casing portion 41; that is, they are on the sameradius and in the same angular relationship one with the other. As a lowfriction member between the surface 63 of the valve member and the plate73, we provide a plate 76 of an inherently lubricous material such as ahigh density polyethylene. Said plate is an interrupted annulus, therebeing a gap of sixty degrees in its circumference. This piate seatswithin a similarly shaped recess 77 formed in the upper wall 63 of thevalve member; the gap portion of the plate straddles the opening 64 insuch member. FIG. 1 shows one of three cavities 78, within each of whichis a coil spring 80. These springs collectively urge the plate 76against the plate 73. The upper surface of the plate 76 is thereforeslightly above the surface of the valve member 69 whereupon it becomesimmaterial whether or not said valve member surface is smooth.

To accomplish the orientation of the valve member relative to thedesired outlet aperture in the upper pump casing 4-1, we utilizeelectro-motive means, advantageously a solenoid, acting upon a collarwhich is keyed to the upper portion of the valve member hub 62. As bestseen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the collar 8% has an inner skirt portion 81 whichenters said upper hub portion and is provided with ribs 82 which keyinto grooves in the hub. There is also a skirt portion 83 externally ofthe valve member hub; said external skirt accommodates one or more setscrews 84 to perfect the securernent of the collar to the hub. Theexternal skirt has a downwardly extending radial lug 85 arranged forengagement with one or the other of the fixed lugs 86, 87 (FIG. 2)formed as part of the pump casing portion 41. The disposition of therespective lugs is such that the lug 85 is against the stop -86 when theaperture 64 of valve member 66 is in registry with the drain dischargeoutlet 52 of the pump casing.

When said lug 85 is adjacent stop 87, the aperture 64 is in registrywith the casing aperture 56 which, as above noted, supplies the panwashing compartment 14. When the lug 85 is stopped by an intermediatestop, presently described, the aperture 64 will register with the casingaperture 59 serving the dishwashing compartment 12.

To accomplish the rotation of the hub 80 and its associated valvemember, we mount a solenoid 90 on a suitable rigid bracket 91 fastenedsecurely to the pump casing portion 41. The armature 92 of the solenoidis attached to a flexible steel cable 93 by the interposed coil spring94. The other end of cable 93 secures to a coil spring 95, in turnattached to a bracket 96 fixed to the pump casing. Cable 93 traversesthe upper portion 97 of the collar '80, passing through an openingformed in a radially extending arm 98 which mounts a screw 99 and aplate 100 secured thereby; said plate 100 jams the cable 93 tightlyagainst the collar portion 97 and prevents the cable from movingrelative to the collar. The stroke of the armature 92 is such as toeffect the rotation of the valve member required to bring the aperture64 from the drainage aperture 52 to the pan wash aperture 56. When thesolenoid is deenergized, the spring 95 rotates the valve member to bringthe aperture 64 into a home registry with the drain opening 52, thishome registry being established by the engagement of lug 85 with stop86, as previously noted.

The intermediate stop 102 (FIG. 3) has a cylindrical body 103 rotatablymounted on a pin 104 secured within the spaced lugs 105, 196 (FIG. 2). Alight mouse-trap spring 107 biases the stop in clockwise rotation, asviewed in FIG. 3, thus bringing it normally into an operatingrelationship with the lug 85 on the collar. An arm 108 integral with thebody 103 extends angularly into the path of movement of the lug 85. Afoot 109 normally rests against casing 41 to establish the home positionof the stop 102. A lever 110 extends from the body 103 as shown. It istherefore obvious that the stop 102 is normally in position to interruptthe rotation of the valve member 60; said interruption is such as toestablish the valve port 64 in registry with the dishwashing outlet 59.Although the valve member is held by the stop 102 in this intermediateposition, the spring 94 permits the solenoid armature to complete itsfull stroke.

To rotate the stop 1 02 counterclockwise of FIG. 3 to permit a fullrotation of the valve member 60' and thus establish the pumpingmechanism for the pan washing function, we provide a bimetal member 112having a cantilever mounting within a casing 114. The free end of thebimetal overlies the end of lever 110, as indicated in FIG. 3. Thebimetal is arranged so that on heating it deflects downwardly, thuseffecting a counterclockwise rotation of stop 102. Deflection of thebimetal may be accomplished by making it an element of an electricalcircuit, or as suggested in FIG. 7, by enclosing it in a resistance wirewrapping 115.

In a dishwasher application, and in others in which the pump may behandling liquids containing particulate matter, it is desirable toseparate the foreign matter from the body of liquid, and to providemeans for automaticaL ly purging the filter or separator at theappropriate time. In the present invention we provide a fixed screenarranged about the inlet to the pump housing. The screen is below thewater level in the sump during operation,

.and is arranged so that a portion of the liquid will flow through thescreen as the liquid is recirculated during the pumping operation. Inbrief, it is contemplated that in the recirculation process, food soiland other foreign particles are continually being removed from the bodyof liquid, and yet the filtering device is arranged so that clogging thefilter cannot prevent liquid from reaching the pump. At the end of awashing cycle when the pump goes into its drainage operation, the screenis purged of the accumulated soil.

As shown in FIG. 1, the screen 120 is bowl-shaped,

having a horizontal wall portion 121, and an upwardly and outwardlyextending wall 122, terminating in a substantially vertical rim. Thescreen may be secured to the pump housing portion 42, as by screws 123.The screen may be formed from perforated brass sheet stock in which area relatively large number of perforations of the order of .020 inch indiameter. In the flat portion 121 the screen is provided with aplurality of /2-inch diameter holes 124, arranged in a circle which asindicated in FIG. 1, brings them into the area 121, above which theslopping wall of the pump casing portion 42 forms a sloping roof,insuring flow of liquid through the large openings at the proper time.Control of flow through the large openings is by means of an annularvalve plate 125 mounted on the screen portion 121 for rotation relativethereto. As shown in FIG. 7, plate 125 has a similar row of holes 126,arranged about a circle having a radius bringing the holes 126 intoregistry with the holes 124.

The valve plate 125 is mechanically connected to the collar by means ofthe rod 127. One end of this rod is welded to plate 125, and the otherend enters a socket 128 extending radially from the collar. A set-screw130 secures the rod within the socket. The angular spacing of the holes124 and 126 is such that whenever the collar 80 is in a washing positionbringing the valve port 64 into registry with either of the valvedischarge openings 56 or 59, the holes 126 in the valve plate are not inregistry with the holes 124 of the screen. Thus, during any washingoperation water passes through the strainer portion of the screen, whichintercepts any food particles large than the screen perforations.Because of the shape of the screen and the overlying pump casing, thesefood soil particles will drift into the area overlying the valve plate125. When the deenergization of solenoid signifies the end of a washingcycle, the rotation of the collar 80 to return valve member 60 toregister with drainage outlet 52 will rotate the valve plate to bringthe holes 124 and 126 into registry. The resulting flow of water throughthese large openings and into the pump inlet will scour the valve screenof its accumulations.

FIG. 8 is a schematic operational cycle and circuit diagram. It will beunderstood that the actual operation of a dishwashing machine usuallyembodies at least two washing periods and two or more rinsing periods,and that the respective wash and rinsing periods may be of various timedurations. Also, contemporary dishwashing machines embody automaticdetergent introduction, and the addition of rinse-water conditioningliquids. These factors are not germane to the present invention, andhave not been shown in FIG. 8.

In the figure, represents any conventional timecycle device having asynchronous motor 131 of the wellknown Telechron type, which by way of aslip clutch and gear reduction mechanism 132 rotates a cam shaft 133 onwhich are mounted the five cams C1 through C5. A manually operable knob134 permits the operator to rotate the timer to its starting position,as presently explained. Each of the cams has associated therewith a setof switches, respectively S1 through S5, said switches controllingspecific elements of the washing and rinsing .system. For example,assuming that a dishwashing function is to be performed, and that theoperator has introduced the necessary detergent into the dishwashingtub, the timer cam shaft is then manually rotated to an on designationon the usual timer dial (not shown). The set of contacts in switch S1close, completing the obvious circuit through the timer motor 131, whichthen elfects continued rotation of the cam shaft. Immediately followingthe energizing of the timer motor, cam C5 closes switch S5, whereuponthe solenoid 135 is energized to open the associated valve 136 to admithot water to the tub. At the end of the time allotted for filling thetub to the proper operational level, switch S5 returns to open position,and switches S4 and S3 are closed by their respective cams C4 and C3.Switch S4 closes the circuit to the pump motor 30 beginning'the pumpingoperation, and switch S3 completes the energy circuit to the valveactuating solenoid 9%. At this stage it will be noted that the stop 102is in position to intercept the rotation of the valve member, whereuponthe valve member assumes the intermediate position in which the valveport 64 has been moved from the drainage port 52 to the dishwashing port59. The pump therefore circulates the washing Water throughout thedishwashing portion of the cabinet. The rotation of valve plate 125relative to strainer 12% closes the openings 124. At the end of the washperiod cam C3 restores switch S3 to open position, whereby spring 95enforces the rotation of the collar 80 and returns the valve plate tothe drainage position. Switch S4 continues operation of the pump for aninterval calculated to effect complete drainage of the spent washliquid. There follows another fill period to introduce heated water,another period of joint energization of motor 30 and solenoid 9t), andanother termination of the solenoid circuit while the motor 30 continuesto discharge the spent rinse water to the drain.

It will be noted that cam C2 is arranged to close switch S2 for a periodbeginning just prior to a washing operation and continuing throughoutthe washing and rinsing cycles. The closure of the switch S2 preparesfor a pan washing operation, which is not established until the operatorcloses the manual switch 136. Assuming this switch to have been closed,the heating element 115 has the opportunity to move the bimetal stopactuator 112 downwardly on the leg 11%) of the stop to withdraw the nose1658 of the stop from the path of the stop 85 of the valve member hub80. When the nose 108 is in this retracted position the solenoid 90 iseffective to rotate the valve 6'0 to its full distance to bring thevalve outlet port into registry with the port 56 serving the pan washingcompartment. With the switch 136 in a closed position the operation ofthe pan washing cycle proceeds as described with respect to thedishwashing function. The timer motor cam S1 remains energized until thefinal drainage operation is completed, whereupon the cam C1 restores theswitch S1 to open circuit position and the dishwasher operation iscompleted.

While there has been described what is at present thought to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover inthe appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. Pumping apparatus, comprising a casing having an intake and aplurality of discharge passages, said discharge passages being angularlydisplaced one from the other on equal radii;

a valve structure within said casing upstream of said dischargepassages, said structure including a body portion and a cylindrical hubportion supporting said body portion within said casing for rotationrelative thereto;

said body portion having a passage selectively reg istrable with any oneof said discharge passages;

means engaging with said said hub portion to rotate said valvestructure;

fixed stop means for limiting rotation of said valve structure to bringthe said body portion passage into registration with one of said casingdischarge passages;

movable stop means for limiting rotation of said valve structure tobring the said passage thereof optionally into registry with another ofsaid discharge passages;

means for selectively actuating said movable stop means betweenoperating and non-operating positions;

means for energizing said rotation means;

and means for effecting translation of fluid from said intake throughsaid body portion passage and the casing passage in registry therewith.

8 2. Pumping apparatus, comprising a casing having an axially disposedintake and a plurality of discharge passages radially outward thereof,said discharge passages being angularly displaced one from the other;

an impeller within said casing to elfect translation of fluid from saidintake to said discharge passages;

a valve structure having a body portion within said casing between saidimpeller and said discharge passages;

' means for supporting said body portion for rotation relative to saidcasing;

said body portion having a passage selectively registrable with any oneof said discharge passages upon rotation of said portion;

means for rotatin said valve body portion to eifect said registry;

fixed stop means for limiting rotation of said valve structure to bringthe said passage thereof into reg istration with one of said casingdischarge passages;

movable stop means for limiting rotation of said valve structure tobring the passage thereof optionally into registry with another of saiddischarge passages;

means for selectively actuating said movable stop means betweenoperating and non-operating positions; means for energizing saidrotation means;

and means for rotating said impeller.

3. Pumping apparatus, comprising a casing having an axially disposedintake and a plurality of discharge passages radially outward thereof,said discharge passages being angularly displaced one from the other;

an impeller within said casing to effect translation of fiuid from saidintake to said discharge passages;

a valve structure including an external hub portion and a body portionwithin said casing between said impeller and said discharge passages,said hub portion supporting said body portion for rotation relative tosaid casing;

said body portion having a passage equal in diameter to the largestdiameter of any of said discharge passages, said passage beingselectively registrable with any of said discharge passages uponrotation of said body portion;

means mechanically associated with said hub portion to rotate said valvebody portion to effect said registry;

fixed stop means on said casing for engagement with said hub to positionsaid body portion with the passage thereof into registration with apredetermined one of said discharge passages;

movable stop means on said casing for optionally engaging said hub toposition said valve body portion with the passage thereof into registrywith another of said discharge passages;

means for selectively actuating said movable stop means betweenoperating and non-operating positions;

means for energizing said valve structure rotation means;

and means for rotating said impeller.

4. Pumping apparatus, comprising a casing having an intake and threedischarge passages, said discharge passages being angularly displacedone from the other on equal radii;

an impeller within said casing to effect translation of fiuid from saidintake through said casing;

a valve structure within said casing between said impeller and saiddischarge passages, said valve structure having a cylindrical hubportion concentric with said impeller and said casing and supporting avalve body within said casing for rotation relative thereto;

said valve body having a passage selectively registrable with any one ofsaid discharge passages;

means for rotating said hub and body through the arc separating thefirst and last of said casing passages;

fixed stop means for defining the extent of said rotation whereby saidvalve body passage will accurately register with said first or lastpassage according to the direction of rotation;

movable stop means interposed between said fixed stop means for limitingrotation of said valve structure to bring the body passage thereofoptionally into registry with the intermediate casing passage;

means for selectively actuating said movable stop means betweenoperating and non-operating positions;

means for energizing said rotation means;

and means for rotating said impeller.

5. Pumping apparatus according to claim 4, in which said movable stopmeans comprises a lever mechanism biased to normally exert said rotationlimiting function.

6. Pumping apparatus according to claim 4, in which said movable stopmeans comprises a lever mechanism and the actuating means thereofincludes a bimetal member adapted to effect rotation of said levermechanism against the resistance of a biasing spring.

7. Pumping apparatus according to claim 1, in which said hub engagingmeans comprises a belt encircling the same and the energizing meanstherefor comprises a sole noid having a fixed stroke.

8. Pumping apparatus according to claim 4, in which said hub rotationmeans includes a belt and a solenoid aflixed thereto, said belt beingspring biased to bring said valve body passage into registry with apredetermined casing passage upon deenergization of said solenoid.

9. Pumping apparatus, comprising a casing having an intake and aplurality of discharge passages, said passages being angularly displacedone from the other on equal radii;

an impeller within said casing to effect translation of fluidtherethrough;

a valve body within said casing intermediate the impeller and saiddischarge passages, said valve body comprising a hollow substantiallyspherical structure concentric with said casing discharge passages andhaving a passage adapted for registration with any one of said dischargepassages, said valve body having directional vanes internally thereof todefine passages receiving fluid from the impeller and conducting thesame to said passage;

means for rotating said valve body to bring the passage thereof intoregistration with a selected one of said casing discharge passages;

and means for rotating said impeller.

10. Pumping apparatus according to claim 9, in which said valve body issubstantially enclosed by a plate which restricts entry of fluid toareas about the periphery of said body.

11. Pumping apparatus, comprising a casing having an intake and aplurality of discharge passages, said discharge passages being angularlydisplaced one from the other on an arc concentric with said casing axis;

an impeller Within said casing to effect translation of fluid from saidintake to said discharge passages;

a valve rotatably disposed within said casing between said impeller andsaid discharge passages, said valve having a passage selectivelyregistrable with any of said discharge passages,

means for rotating said valve for effecting said selective registration;

means disposed about said casing intake to provide a screen to interceptand retain particulate matter prior to entry into said intake;

and means eifective upon rotation of said valve to establishregistration of its passage with a particular casing discharge passageto release the intercepted matter for passage into said casing andejection through said discharge passage.

12. Pumping apparatus, comprising a casing having an 1t) axiallydisposed intake and a plurality of discharge passages;

an impeller within said casing to effect translation of fluid from saidintake to said discharge passages;

a valve disposed within said casing between said impeller and saiddischarge passages, said valve having a passage selectively registrablewith any one of said discharge passages and effective to block flowthrough the remaining passages;

means for displacing said valve for effecting said selectiveregistration;

means providing an annular screen about said casing intake to interceptand retain particulate matter prior to entry thereof into said intake;

and means effective upon displacement of said valve to establishregistration of its passage with a particu lar casing discharge passageto release the intercepted matter for passage into said casing forejection through said discharge passage.

13. Pumping apparatus, comprising a casing having an axially disposedintake and a plurality of discharge passages;

means effecting translation of fluid from said intake to said dischargepassages;

a valve disposed within said casing between said impeller and saiddischarge passages, said valve having a passage selectively registrablewith any one of said discharge passages and being effective to blockflow through the remaining passages;

means for operating said valve for effecting said selectiveregistration;

means providing an annular screen about said casing intake to interceptand retain particulate matter prior to entry thereof into said intake, aportion of said screen having at least one large size aperture foraccommodating the escape of said retained material;

a valve plate mounted on said screen portion for movement relativethereto;

and means operable concurrently with operation of said valve toestablish said selective registration of said valve passage with acasing passage to position said valve plate to block or permit escape ofsaid retained matter according to the casing passage with which saidvalve passage is brought into registry.

14. Pumping apparatus, comprising a casing having an axially disposedintake and a plurality of discharge passages, said discharge passagesbeing angularly displaced one from the other on an arc concentric withsaid casing axis;

an impeller within said casing to effect translation of fluid from saidintake to said discharge passages;

a valve rotatably disposed Within said casing between said impeller andsaid discharge passages, said valve having a passage selectivelyregistrable with any of said discharge passages and effective to blockflow through the remaining passages;

means for rotating said valve for elfecting said selective registration;

means providing an annular screen about said casing intake to interceptand retain particulate matter prior to entry thereof into said intake, aportion of said screen adjacent the casing inlet having a circular rowof large openings to pass the retained matter;

an annular valve plate disposed in overlying relation to said row ofopenings to block or permit passage of material therethrough;

and means mechanically connecting said valve plate and said rotatablevalve for operating said valve plate to permit flow through saidopenings as said valve is rotated to bring its passage into registrywith a particular casing passage.

No references cited.

1. PUMPING APPARATUS, COMPRISING A CASING HAVING AN INTAKE AND APLURALITY OF DISCHARGE PASSAGES, SAID DISCHARGE PASSAGES BEING ANGULARLYDISPLACED ONE FROM THE OTHER ON EQUAL RADII; A VALVE STRUCTURE WITHINSAID CASING UPSTREAM OF SAID DISCHARGE PASSAGES, SAID STRUCTUREINCLUDING A BODY PORTION AND A CYLINDRICAL HUB PORTION SUPPORTING SAIDBODY PORTION WITHIN SAID CASING FOR ROTATION RELATIVE THERETO; SAID BODYPORTION HAVING A PASSAGE SELECTIVELY REGISTRABLE WITH ANY ONE OF SAIDDISCHARGE PASSAGES; MEANS ENGAGING WITH SAID SAID HUB PORTION TO ROTATESAID VALVE STRUCTURE; FIXED STOP MEANS FOR LIMITING ROTATION OF SAIDVALVE STRUCTURE TO BRING THE SAID BODY PORTION PASSAGE INTO REGISTRATIONWITH ONE OF SAID CASING DISCHARGE PASSAGES; MOVABLE STOP MEANS FORLIMITING ROTATION OF SAID VALVE STRUCTURE TO BRING THE SAID PASSAGETHEREOF OPTIONALLY INTO REGISTRY WITH ANOTHER OF SAID DISCHARGEPASSAGES; MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY ACTUATING SAID MOVABLE STOP MEANSBETWEEN OPERATING AND NON-OPERATING POSITIONS; MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAIDROTATION MEANS; AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING TRANSLATION OF FLUID FROM SAIDINTAKE THROUGH SAID BODY PORTION PASSAGE AND THE CASING PASSAGE INREGISTRY THEREWITH.